Popular Facial Tightening Treatment Ultherapy Just Got An Upgrade

Forbes

18 hours ago

Ultrasound therapy as a lifting and tightening treatment has been gaining popularity since its launch in 2018. getty
In South Korea, where beauty standards are famously high, facial treatments are less of a luxury and more of a way of life. Procedures like Ultherapy are so commonplace they've earned the nickname 'lunchtime treatments' — quick enough to fit between meetings, discreet enough to return to work immediately after. For many, they're part of the same maintenance cycle as haircuts or skincare appointments, helping to preserve skin quality over time rather than react to visible aging once it appears.
It's a philosophy embraced across age groups and industries, particularly in entertainment, where high-definition cameras demand consistently flawless skin. From actors to K-pop idols, non-invasive tightening treatments are a quiet essential—a way to keep skin camera-ready without the downtime or telltale signs of more invasive work.
Korean Actress Jun Ji Hyun is Ultherapy Prime's newest brand ambassador. Merz Aesthetics/Vanguard Philippines
Now, one of the most popular options in this category—Ultherapy—has had a significant upgrade. Ultherapy Prime, the latest iteration of the platform that's been in use since 2008, brings faster treatments, sharper imaging, and a more personalized approach to skin lifting.
The popularity of such treatments is also reflected in its marketing. Merz Aesthetics' See My Skin, Lift My Way: Love My Prime campaign — fronted by Korean actors Jun Jihyun and Lee Minho—frames the procedue not as a quick fix, but as part of a continual process of self-care and confidence building. In Korea, where beauty culture prizes both prevention and precision, the message resonates far beyond celebrity appeal.
It's a reminder that in this market, aesthetic treatments aren't just about turning back the clock but about maintaining a certain standard and keeping things looking natural. Personalization Meets a Growing Market
The new iteration arrives at a time when personalization has become the new standard in aesthetics. A Merz Aesthetics survey of over 1,500 consumers across the Asia-Pacific region found that 94% now prioritize tailored skin-lifting treatments, and 80% are willing to pay more for results that address their specific needs.
This trend is reflected in the market's trajectory. The Asia-Pacific aesthetic medicine market was valued at US$30.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$89.9 billion by 2030, growing at a 16.5% CAGR. Non-invasive procedures—like Ultherapy Prime—make up the largest share of that growth.
South Korea's uptake of high-tech, non-invasive treatments is among the highest in the region, driven by its deeply ingrained beauty culture, strong domestic aesthetics industry, and a consumer base that embraces preventative care from an early age. By contrast, markets such as Singapore and Australia, while also growing, show slower adoption rates, often driven by older demographics entering the aesthetics space later in life. This positions Korea not just as a consumer hub, but as a bellwether for what the broader APAC aesthetics market may look like in the coming decade.
At Re:One Clinic in Gangnam, the popularity of non-invasive beauty treatments is unmistakable. Among the first in Korea to adopt Ultherapy Prime, the clinic now operates the highest number of machines in the country. 'Each person's facial structure and skin type are different—meaning the most effective option varies for each individual,' says Dr. Mihye Lee of Re:One Clinic. 'Ultherapy Prime is the only original HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) device that allows practitioners to visualize the skin layers in real time and deliver energy with precision to the desired depth. While there are many other HIFU devices on the market claiming similar results, most do not include an integrated ultrasound imaging system. Without this capability, it's difficult to match Ultherapy Prime's level of accuracy and finesse in energy delivery—two qualities that set it apart when it comes to both safety and optimal results.' A Faster, More Precise Platform
In the Philippines, where demand for non-invasive beauty treatments has also surged, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jonathan Yu points to Ultherapy Prime's technological edge: 'The new platform features a dual-core processor, resulting in faster treatment times compared to the legacy device. The screen is wider and imaging is more precise, which helps to improve patient comfort and have better treatment outcomes.' The 35% larger screen, paired with a brighter display and faster refresh rate, allows practitioners to clearly visualize the collagen-rich dermal layer and the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) — the muscle layer often targeted in surgical facelifts.'
The new Ultherapy Prime Machine that promises to upgrade the experience of this well-loved treatment. Merz Aesthetics/Vanguard Philippines
This real-time visualization is also key to safety. 'If we can identify where the energy is being applied, adverse events that occur when energy is not placed in the correct areas can be avoided,' Dr. Yu notes.
Ultherapy Prime is the only US FDA-cleared non-invasive microfocused ultrasound treatment with real-time visualization that can target depths of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mm—the same foundational layers addressed in a surgical facelift—without breaking the skin's surface. Treatments stimulate collagen and elastin production, with results that can last up to a year or more. Who It's For and Why Age Matters
While treatments like Ultherapy Prime are often associated with those in their 40s and beyond, it can be just as effective in younger patients. 'The ideal patients are those who want to achieve their best with minimal downtime,' says Dr. Yu. 'People in their 30s might not need as many treatment lines compared to someone who is in their 40s and older. The younger you do it, the more collagen one will still have, so treatment outcomes will be better and last longer.'
Unlike lasers or radiofrequency devices, which rely on bulk heating or surface-level work, the treatment's microfocused ultrasound energy delivers heat precisely to the targeted depths. 'Lasers and RF devices tend not to be able to achieve deeper layers versus the use of microfocused ultrasound,' Dr. Yu explains. What to Expect in the Chair
Before treatment, patients have baseline photos taken and the targeted areas scanned to map collagen-rich and muscle layers. 'We first scan the delicate areas to identify the collagen-rich and muscle layers and use the corresponding ultrasound depth to treat,' Dr. Yu says.
The procedure typically takes under an hour, with comfort managed through correct energy delivery and, if needed, numbing cream or over-the-counter pain relief. Patients often notice subtle changes within a month, with the most visible improvements appearing around the three-month mark. 'Most don't come back until they want another session, usually around the 10th to 12th month,' Dr. Yu notes.
Because practitioners can see exactly where the energy is being delivered, the risk of misplaced treatment—a key cause of side effects—is minimized. Minor bruising can occur but typically resolves within a week with warm compresses.
The results are gradual and natural-looking, reflecting a broader consumer preference for subtlety over dramatic overnight changes. 'It's one of my go-to devices for non-surgical tightening,' says Dr. Yu, 'and it will still be one of the driving forces in the aesthetic landscape.'
TikTok Influencer Darshen K at the Ultherapy Prime launch event in Seoul. A self-confessed fan of the beauty procedure. Merz Aesthetics / Vanguard Philippines
The Asia-Pacific aesthetic devices market, which includes energy-based skin-lifting technologies, was valued at US$3.15 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$8.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.1%. That expansion is fueled by an aging population, rising disposable incomes, and a consumer preference for treatments that deliver visible results with minimal downtime — precisely where Ultherapy Prime positions itself.
In an industry crowded with injectables, lasers, and surgical lifts, Ultherapy Prime has established itself as a trusted option for patients seeking non-invasive tightening with lasting results. Its upgradeable design ensures it will remain relevant as new protocols and technologies emerge.
The beauty industry's approach to aging has moved beyond surface-level fixes. Treatments like Ultherapy Prime reflect that shift—deeper, smarter, and more precise, with results designed to meet the needs of the individual.